The Alocasia Baginda, also known as the ‘Alocasia Baginda Dragon Scale,’ is an exotic plant. With its central dark green veins and metallic silver-green leaves, it is a sight to behold.
It earns the ‘Dragon Scale’ name from its resemblance to a dragon’s scales.
It is famous for its unique emerald-green velvety leaves. It is an evergreen perennial and stays a beautiful shade of green throughout its life cycle if given the right care.
Alocasia baginda care is up next.
Enjoy.
Table of Contents
Alocasia Baginda Care
For ideal Alocasia baginda care, opt for well-drained, porous soil, aerated with perlite or sand. Allow the top inches of soil to slightly dry before watering. Provide bright, dappled sunlight. Maintain 61-81°F (16-27°C), avoiding extremes. Maintain 60-80% humidity.
Soil
For a plant to reach its full potential in terms of size and growth, it must be grown in the right soil type. For the Alocasia Baginda plant, well-drained and moist soils are ideal.
Use porous, chunky, and loose soils for your Alocasia Baginda plant, which does not excessively hold water. The soil should have good aeration with considerable draining properties. A good choice is an aroid mix amended with an organic, good-quality fertilizer.
Furthermore, you can add compost or peat moss into the potting soil. If the soil seems too heavy to you, I recommend you put in some perlite or sand. This will help you achieve just the right type of soil texture for your Dragon Scale plant.
An ideal pH level for your Alocasia Baginda plant is slightly acidic to somewhat neutral (5.5 to 6.5). The acidity of the soil will help your Baginda plant absorb nutrients efficiently. Since the plant has moderate watering needs, do not over or under-water it.
It is best to water the Alocasia Baginda plant’s soil only when its top few inches seem a little dry.
Watering
The beautiful Alocasia Baginda plant has the watering needs of a typical houseplant. Since it is a tropical species, it enjoys being watered. However, frequent or inadequate watering can lead to several problems, such as yellow leaves and wilting.
Please allow the Alocasia Baginda plant’s soil to slightly dry up before you water it. I suggest you not to let it completely dry up or be excessively wet. You can always check the Baginda plant’s top 1 to 2 inches before you water it.
A good way to assess when to water the Alocasia Baginda plant is by using a moisture meter. This will prevent you from overwatering and under-watering the plant, leading to water-clogging or droopiness, respectively.
An important water determinant of the Alocasia Baginda plant is seasons. For instance, your Dragon Scale plant will require more water during the dry, warm days of the growing seasons, spring and summer. Similarly, its watering needs will decrease during the dormant winter season.
Light
The Alocasia Baginda plant thrives in bright, dappled sunlight. However, the two extremes of complete shade and direct sun rays must be avoided for the best growth. Direct sunlight can cause leaf scorching, while scarce sunlight can limit new growth.
If you have placed your Alocasia Baginda plant outdoors, ensure that it is placed in a partially shaded area or move it to a partially lit area during the intense hours of the day when the sun rays are the harshest. If changing the plant’s position is not possible, use a shade cloth to mellow the sunlight.
However, if you are growing the Dragon Scale plant as an indoor houseplant, place it next to a southwest or north-facing window so that just the right amount of sunlight comes into contact with it. Alternatively, you can grow it in artificial growing lights.
Temperature
The Alocasia Baginda plant is generally easy to care for; however, it has a limited temperature range due to its tropical nature. It grows better in hot, humid weather than in cold, dry environments.
The ideal temperature range for the Alocasia Baginda plant is 61 to 81 Fahrenheit (16 to 27 degrees Celsius). The temperatures below the ideal range may lead to stunted growth and wilting of the plant. Likewise, temperatures that are too high can lead to extensive irreversible damage.
Most typical households fall within this range of temperatures. However, some may have different ranges. If you reside in a very hot area, place your Alocasia Baginda in a cool and slightly dry area, preferably in an air-conditioned room.
On the other hand, if you live in colder areas, bring your Baginda plant inside during the winter and place it in a warm and temperature-controlled room.
In both cases, ensure you protect your Alocasia Baginda plant from direct drafts of wind from air conditioners, heaters, windows, fans, etc.
Humidity
As is expected of any tropical species, the Alocasia Baginda plant loves high humidity. However, if you place your plant in an excessively humid environment for an extended period, it may be attacked by fungal diseases and pests.
The perfect humidity level for the Alocasia Baginda plant ranges from 60% to 80%. While this level is enjoyable for many Alocasia plants, it can be very uncomfortable for an average household’s inhabitants. However, fortunately, there are several ways you can establish the Baginda plant’s desired humidity levels.
A good natural way is to put the plant’s pot on a pebble tray filled with water. The water in the tray will evaporate and moisten the Dragon Scale plant’s surroundings. Please make sure that the plant does not directly touch the water.
If you are comfortable using gadgets, you can also purchase an indoor humidifier and make the air sufficiently humid for your Alocasia Baginda plant.
Fertilizer
For good growth, all living beings require good-quality feed. Similarly, the Alocasia Baginda loves to be fed with balanced organic fertilizers made specifically for its type.
There are several types of feed available; however, the Dragon Scale plant loves slow-release fertilizer. I suggest you feed your Alocasia Baginda during all seasons except winter when the plant is dormant. A rough feeding estimate for water-soluble fertilizer is two to three times a week during the summer and spring.
Alternatively, you can use a slow-release fertilizer. Add a considerable amount about twice a month for the greatest results.
My tip is to use a balanced fertilizer containing equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Please avoid starving and over-feeding your Alocasia Baginda plant as both can have severe consequences.
Repotting
Alocasia baginda does not require frequent repotting and grows just fine when slightly root-bound.
I suggest you plant your beautiful Alocasia Baginda in well-draining and good-aerated soil approximately once a year. The best time for repotting the Baginda plant is the spring season, when it has just come out of its dormancy phase.
However, if the Alocasia Baginda plant seems to have outgrown its current pot or has caught an infection, you may need to change the potting soil or the entire pot.
Pruning
The Alocasia Baginda plants can be pruned. There can be quite a few reasons for you to prune your beloved Dragon Scale plant.
The foremost reason is the distorted or abnormal appearance of the Baginda plant’s leaves due to fungal infections and diseases. It is best to cut the affected foliage to minimize the spread of infection.
The Alocasia Baginda plant can also lose a fair amount of leaves if unwell, even before a pest or fungal attack. Such leaves should also be removed as soon as possible. For precautionary measures, you can wipe the Baginda plant’s leaves clean with oil or water.
The occasional water or oil cleaning can also prevent dust and bacteria from settling on the plant’s foliage and vines.
Another reason you might want to cut a few vines off your Alocadia Baginda plant is mere size control. In all the cases, use a pair of clean pruning shears and carefully cut the unwanted or diseased leaves.
Propagation
I recommend you propagate your Alocasia Baginda plant during the mid-spring or summer season when the plant is growing actively. Please avoid propagating it in the dormant winter season.
You can propagate the lovely Alocasia Dragon Scale by clump or division method. However, please make sure that all your gardening equipment is clean and germ-free. Similarly, your knives or blades should be sharp.
Rhizome Method
You will need a potting mix, a sharp knife or blade, and some water.
To propagate Alocasia baginda by rhizome, follow these steps:
- Prepare a potting mixture with the right soil mix and add some water to it.
- Next, remove the Baginda parent plant from its pot and dust off the excess soil sticking to its roots. Use a gardening hose if required to remove the soil from the roots.
- When you see the plant’s roots, you will also notice multiple clumps. Carefully separate a few of the clumps with a disinfected knife or blade. (A huge benefit of clumping plants is that each clump has its own root system. Therefore, you do not have to wait for the roots to develop. They will most probably start growing on their own.)
- Now, in a container, place one of the cut clumps and straighten out its roots in the container.
- Add a little water to the container. If only chlorinated water is available, fill a bucket and let the water sit for about a day before adding it to the potting mix.
- Next, firm this mixture with the help of your fingers. Ensure there is no excessive water in the Alocasia Baginda baby plant’s container.
- Put the container in a bright spot that receives adequate dappled sunlight.
- Lastly, add some more water if needed and wait for the Baginda plant to grow.
- You can add some diluted liquid fertilizer to promote growth.
It may take 6 to 8 weeks for the plant to mature.
Blooms
The Alocasia Baginda plant gives rise to beautiful light butter-yellow blooms. The Dragon Scale plant’s flowering season is mostly summer and spring. As fine-looking as its blooms are, the Baginda plant is mostly grown for its striking metallic-green foliage.
Growth
The unique Alocasia Baginda plant is admired for its alluring emerald green bullate, velvety foliage with prominent venation. The green shade becomes darker towards the leaf’s center, which enhances the plant’s beauty.
The lower side of the Dragon Scale plant’s leaf has prominent reddish-brown veins running against a light-green leaf surface. This is a valued indoor decorative plant that can reach a height of 39 to 79 inches (1 to 2 meters).
Common Problems for Alocasia Baginda
Toxicity
The Alocasia plants can be very toxic to humans and animals. They contain oxalate crystals that can cause serious swelling and irritation of the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract.
In extreme cases, they can also restrict airway passages and lead to breathing difficulties. This can be life-threatening for humans as well as animals.
Please keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets to avoid such mishaps. However, if such a calamity occurs, immediately contact poison control and visit your nearest hospital.
Pests and Diseases
Some pests that commonly attack the Alocasia plants include mealybugs and spider mites. To treat an Alocasia Baginda plant infested by spider mites or mealybugs, use insecticidal spray or soap on the affected plant’s leaves every few weeks.
This will also prevent dust from settling on the plant. Alternatively, you can use ultra-fine insecticide or neem oil to get rid of the mealybugs. This will also eliminate their eggs residing on the plant.
Leaf Spot
The Alocasia Baginda plant can be quite sensitive to excessive salts and minerals such as calcium and chlorine. Therefore, to minimize the probability of toxicity, using only balanced fertilizers and low-chlorine water are essential.
If only chlorinated water is available, fill a bucket with water and let it sit for about 24 hours. The chlorine will then settle at the bottom of the bucket, and the unnecessary salts will evaporate. Now, this water is fit for use.
I also recommend you go the extra mile for your lovely Dragon Scales plant and use lukewarm and distilled water.
Xanthomonas
A frequent disease for the Alocasia Baginda plant is Xanthomonas. It can appear as black or dark brown spots on the leaves’ upper and/or lower side with a yellow-colored rim around the brown spots.
This can be avoided by watering the plant only when needed or when the top 1 to 2 inches are slightly dry. Similarly, please do not drench the Dragon Scales plant’s roots in water, as that may also increase the probability of fungal or bacterial attack.
Floppy/Yellow Leaves
The Alocasia Baginda plant may naturally drop some of its yellow or floppy leaves. This is often normal because the plant can only hold a particular number of leaves at any one time. Moreover, it can also be a way for the Dragon Scales plant to manage and distribute nutrition to its new growth.
However, if your Baginda plant is dropping an excessive amount of leaves from several locations, it may be diseased. Please review its watering schedule and see if you are over or under-watering the plant or changing its place to a brighter spot with filtered sunlight.
Tips for Growing Alocasia Baginda
- Place the plant in bright, dappled sunlight.
- Avoid under and overwatering the plant.
- Use well-draining soils with good aeration.
- Use the plant’s soil to assess when to water it.
- Please refrain from placing it in direct sunlight.
- Use sterilized or disinfected equipment on the plant.
- Do not frequently repot the plant.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alocasia Baginda
Can you root Alocasia Baginda in water?
The Alocasia Baginda plant can be grown in water. However, ensure that the plant is not kept in direct sunlight as it may promote algae growth. Change the plant’s water regularly, clean its pot, and add diluted liquid fertilizer if you like.
Why are the leaves of my plant turning yellow?
The yellowing of the leaves may be due to under-watering or overwatering. Please water the plant only when needed. Keep its soil moist but not water-saturated or dried up.
Why are there spots on the leaves of my Alocasia Baginda plant?
You may be over-fertilizing your plant, which leads to salt accumulation or using chlorinated water. Feed the plant only when necessary, and use chlorine-free water.
How often does my Alocasia Baginda plant need to be repotted?
Please repot your Alocasia Baginda plant only once a year during the spring season.
Why is my Alocasia Baginda plant dying?
You are either not feeding your plant enough or under or overwatering it. Another reason can be an unfavorable environment. Please follow the correct care guide for the plant to thrive and reach its maximum potential.
Conclusion
The Alocasia Baginda plant is one striking and fine-looking plant. Its emerald-green metallic foliage and ribbed texture can brighten up any corner of the house. The green and silver colors of the leaves complement each other.
However, like most Alocasias, it is very poisonous. It can cause serious swelling and breathing problems. Therefore, please keep it away from your children and furry friends.